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Barack Obama issues political violence warning--"We have to be concerned"

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 10:13 GMT by Newsweek
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Barack Obama Issues a Stark Warning About Political Violence in the United States

In a rare and pointed public statement, former President Barack Obama has warned that the United States is “experiencing a dangerous rise in political violence” and called for a national conversation about how to protect the country’s democratic institutions. The remarks were made in an interview with the Newsweek editorial team on Thursday, and the former leader—who has spent his post‑presidency championing democratic norms, climate action and civil rights—emphasized that the threat is real, measurable, and urgent.

A Call to Action

When asked why he was speaking out now, Obama said it was “not a partisan moment” but a “matter of survival.” “We have a concern about an escalating wave of politically motivated violence,” he said. “If we do not confront this trend head‑on, we risk eroding the very foundations that keep us safe.” The former president stressed that the threat is not limited to the far right; he pointed out that domestic extremist groups on both ends of the political spectrum have been increasingly willing to use violence to achieve their aims.

He urged Congress to take swift action on several fronts. First, he called for increased funding for the FBI’s domestic terrorism unit, noting that the agency’s 2023 threat assessment placed the country on a “high” level for extremist activity. Second, he urged states and localities to improve intelligence sharing and to provide better training to first responders. Finally, he appealed to policymakers to launch a “community resilience” program that would address the social and economic roots of radicalization.

The Newsweek article linked to the FBI’s official threat level report, which confirmed that domestic terrorism had risen by more than 10 percent in the past year, with a significant uptick in violent attacks by extremist groups. The report also highlighted the “white supremacist” threat as the most dangerous.

A History of Violence

Obama’s remarks were framed by a careful overview of recent political violence in the United States. In 2021, the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol had shocked the nation, and the subsequent investigations revealed how a network of far‑right conspirators had prepared for the assault. In 2022, a wave of “far‑left” protests turned violent in several major cities, including a deadly clash in Washington, D.C. In 2023, a mass shooting at a school in Texas was linked to a radicalized individual who had expressed extremist ideology online.

The former president recounted how, during his own presidency, he had to confront political divisions that threatened the democratic process. “In 2016, the United States went through a very turbulent election, and it was a test of our institutions,” he said. “I learned that the stability of democracy depends on the rule of law, on accountability, and on the willingness of citizens to engage peacefully.”

The Response of the Political Establishment

Obama’s warning has already elicited responses from across the political spectrum. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, a moderate Republican, praised the former president for “bringing a calm, bipartisan perspective” to a heated issue. Meanwhile, Representative Marjorie Taylor‑Green of Florida criticized Obama’s remarks as “politically motivated,” arguing that the real problem is “lawlessness” rather than ideology.

The Newsweek article cited a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that reiterated the federal government’s commitment to countering domestic extremism. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a briefing that the agency is “actively working with state and local partners to share data and best practices.” He also highlighted the “National Action Plan for Domestic Terrorism” that the U.S. Justice Department released last year, outlining coordinated efforts to prevent and respond to extremist attacks.

Building Resilience: What Comes Next?

Obama’s remarks are not just a warning; they carry a concrete set of recommendations. He highlighted three “pillars” that he believes will help to deter future violence:

1. Intelligence‑Driven Prevention – The former president stressed the need for better data on extremist activity, citing the FBI’s threat assessment as a model. He urged Congress to fund the agency’s Domestic Terrorism Unit with additional resources to monitor online chatter, track financial flows, and collaborate with tech companies.

2. Community‑Based Interventions – Obama called for grants to local organizations that work with at‑risk youth and marginalized communities. He noted that many radicalized individuals come from a place of economic hardship or political disenfranchisement, and that “addressing those root causes is the most effective way to prevent violence.”

3. Civic Education and Dialogue – The former president emphasized the importance of teaching civics in schools and fostering open dialogue between opposing groups. He urged the federal government to support “democracy‑education initiatives” that would teach citizens how to engage in constructive political debate.

The article included a link to a Newsweek profile of the “National Action Plan for Domestic Terrorism,” which outlines a multi‑agency strategy to detect, deter, and respond to extremist threats. That plan already calls for increased coordination between the FBI, DHS, the Department of Justice, and state police agencies.

A Cautious but Optimistic Tone

Throughout his remarks, Obama maintained a sober tone but also expressed confidence that the country can overcome this crisis. He said, “We have a history of resilience. The United States has faced challenges before and emerged stronger.” He added that the “vulnerable part of the argument is that we’re looking at our own political divisions. Those divisions are a real danger when they’re amplified by extremist rhetoric and radicalized individuals.”

Obama’s warning arrives at a moment when the United States is facing a complex web of threats: from cyber‑espionage to misinformation campaigns, from domestic terrorism to global pandemics. His call for bipartisan action and community resilience is a reminder that protecting democracy is not a partisan issue; it is a national imperative. As the country prepares for the 2024 election cycle, the former president’s words are likely to resonate with policymakers, civil society leaders, and ordinary citizens alike.

In the Newsweek piece, the author also highlighted additional resources for readers—links to the FBI’s threat assessment, the DHS’s domestic terrorism action plan, and a brief on the history of political violence in America. These provide context for understanding the magnitude of the problem and the steps that can be taken to safeguard the nation’s democratic future.